12th Sep 2018

PPL PRS to showcase music-based mural at LCB Design Season

PPL PRS Ltd, the music licensing venture formed between PPL and PRS for Music, based in Leicester is opening its doors to the community on Thursday 20th September as part of LCB Design Season 1.

The company has a 90 square metre, music-based mural in its Mercury Place office which covers over 100 years of music and has 200 music references. The mural starts in 1914, the year PRS for Music was formed, on to 1934 when PPL was formed and travels across the decades, through musical representation, to the present day with the launch of PPL PRS. The artwork, which covers the whole length of a wall in the office, also references the company’s base in Leicester with depictions of Leicester City Football Club mascot Filbert Fox, the cathedral, the clocktower, the National Space Centre, the Richard III famous carpark grave, along with lyrics from LCFC anthem When You’re Smiling the Whole World Smiles with You!

Creators of the mural, Emma Pike and Andy Goodridge from The Graphic History Company, will be speaking at Late LOOP, part of LCB Design Season, on the evening of Thursday 20th September. They will be talking about the concept and idea behind the mural as well as the process of designing and installing the huge artwork. The evening will be an open exhibition held at LCB Depot on Rutland Street, followed by a visit to the office to see the mural in-situ.

PPL PRS Managing Director, Suzanne Smith, said of the company’s involvement in the Design Season event: ‘We are delighted to be involved in this great project highlighting the abundance of creativity here in Leicester. Being based in the Cultural Quarter we are at the heart of the city’s creative arts, and being able to showcase our passion for music, and Leicester, to the local community is a great opportunity.’

James Burkmar, Workspace Manager, LCB Workspaces commented: ‘LCB Design Season is a two-month showcase of the work of Leicester and Leicestershire designers from different disciplines. But it’s just the start….

‘Led by designers and design businesses themselves, the season comprises exhibitions and events and focuses on quality and innovation. The season is ‘Year Zero’ in a 5 year plan which will result in an event of international standing attracting the best from around the world – an event which finds its place in the international calendar.

‘We are excited and grateful for the engagement of PPL PRS at such an early stage in this venture. The purpose of LCB Design Season in 2018 is to attract interest from public, private and university sectors to collaborate and follow the lead of designers and design businesses to create something that is authentically unique to the area but truly of the city – embraced by all – a design conversation with the world.

To have the involvement and support of such a major internationally regarded creative brand – PPL PRS – is beyond our expectations at this time and to have the opportunity to showcase their own commitment to design is a genuine pleasure. Great to have you on board!’

The Graphic History Company Founder and CEO Emma Pike discussed the reason they were keen to be a part of LCB Design Season and showcase the PPL PRS mural: ‘Leicester boasts great creative talent and some truly stunning murals. We are immensely proud to have made a contribution to this tradition and look forward to participating in the inaugural LCB Design Season.”